Healthcare, beware of LEAN! Trimming safeguards and redundant
systems in healthcare is a dangerous path to tread. Although many
tout the benefits of LEAN principles and how it can change the
world, its use in many human endeavors is a mistake. Yes,
eliminating waste is always a good thing, but streamlining systems
so that only one process is between a patient and a poor outcome
(or worse) is folly. One part of all the LEAN talk always makes me
laugh-Toyota was an early adopter of LEAN principles. Yes, they
make a fine automobile, but obviously with their recall history in
the past decade the 'zero-defect' rate is more myth than reality..

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